Last Updated on March 3, 2023
In recent times, the trend of social media has increased significantly and hence, each and every individual these days has a strong online presence. Be it Twitter, Facebook page or blog, individuals use social media to keep in touch with their family, relatives and friends, express their opinions on communities and share interest with people having mutual interests and likes.
These days, Facebook is a popular social network medium, which is used by various people for expressing their opinions and outlook. This medium offers infinite possibilities and can become a hurdle once an individual concentrates on searching for a new job. Research suggests that applicants are rejected by employers on the basis of their posts and opinions they have posted on their Facebook page. In other instances, employers ask recruits to give them their Facebook page.
Why do Employers ask for Facebook Page?
Research suggests that potential employers ask applicants about their Facebook page in order to investigate their profile and to judge them, based on it. Furthermore, surveys also reveal that 75 percent of employers examine online profiles of applicants before hiring them. A Facebook page represents the personality of the individual and gives information on his or her likes and dislikes as well as personal opinions. Employers may reject applicants if they find out that they are linked with substance use, alcohol consumption, promoting violent images, etc.
Recently, employers now ask for passwords as a part of interview requirement and this is done in order to retrieve information that is hidden from the public eye. In this case, the employer can gain the entire information regarding the applicant and on basis of that, his or her application can be rejected if the employer finds any material that is offensive.
Why Facebook Pages?
The question arises that why potential employers require Facebook pages to decide whether they want to hire the applicant or not? Most employers assert that recruitment process is costly and requires financial investment. The entire process of recruiting and hiring is a risky process and for this purpose, it is essential that all information regarding the applicant is available.
Furthermore, employers believe that it is not an unethical practice but rather it is an important requirement of the interview process. They believe that researching on the applicant is same as that when the applicant researches on company background on Facebook in order to determine what kind of individuals work there.
Personal and Professional Life
On the other hand, applicants believe that Facebook pages contain personal information and outlooks, which never interfere with professional life. The practice of potential employers looking at Facebook pages in order to judge the person is wrong. The conventional interview process where the employer interviews the applicant by asking questions is a better method of selection rather than solely being dependent on Facebook page.
Personal and professional life are two different aspects and it is essential that employees keep them separate. In the same manner, it is important for employers to understand that Facebook pages cannot be used to determine whether the applicant is capable or incapable enough for the job as these pages only give out the details of personal life.
Regardless of the fact that asking for Facebook password is an unethical and illegal practice, yet potential employers consider Facebook profiles as a yardstick for judging the applicant. Employers concentrate on reviewing the content available on the Facebook page in order to determine what kind of an employee the applicant would turn out to be. Furthermore, posts, online photos and likes/dislikes can be the basis on which, employers can reject applications. In certain cases, employers also ask for Facebook passwords as a part of interview process from applicants.
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